| Summary: | The aim of this dissertation is to unravel the meaning of the ark of Yahweh in the Old
Testament primarily from the perspective of redemptive history. This central theme of the
Scriptures encompasses the totality of history and forms a unity in Christ while providing a
progressive realization of God's eternal counsel in time.
The first chapter is an introduction which demonstrates that the variety of conclusions of
earlier studies about the significance of the ark in the Old Testament is due to the application of
different modem critical studies to the exegesis of Biblical texts: each study has problems. In
order to overcome the flaws, there is a need to examine the biblical text acknowledging the
intention of the divine author and his use of subordinates.
The second chapter offers discussions on exegetical methodology. The method of interpretation,
a three dimensional approach, namely philological-historical-theological approach, applied to
this thesis, is in contrast to the historical-literary and the traditio-historical approaches which
most prior studies about the ark have used. The redemptive-historical theological method has
validity since much of the Bible itself reflects redemptive history.
The third chapter attempts to exegesis all biblical texts referring to the ark. The text of
Exodus demonstrates that the ark was made to serve as a comfortable assurance that Yahweh
would indeed accompany the Israelites on their journey to the promised land and as a tool of
God's revelation. The Numbers' text shows that Yahweh led and protected his people in the
presence of the ark in the wilderness, even though it is not a thronethariot. The ark passages
in Deuteronomy emphasize Yahweh's law and tell us that the ark still has the symbolic meaning
of the glorious presence of Yahweh. Yahweh used the ark when he wanted to retrieve his
corrupt people and redeem them with the covenantal law. In the book of Joshua we find that
occupancy of the promised land as a phase of redemptive history was accomplished by the
guidance of the ark using it as a vanguard, as a physical representation of divine presence. The
narrative pertaining to the ark in the book of 1 Samuel explains that the ark is not permitted to
be mobilized into the battle as a war-palladium. Nor is it a throne. Rather, the ark is closely linked with Yahweh's advanced redemptive work in conformity to his sovereign and eternal
design for salvation, despite the Israelite's abuse. The historical event of the transporting of the
ark in 2 Samuel 6 suggests Yahweh's sovereign choice of Zion and the climax of a long series
of events which began when Moses promised the people 'rest' from all their enemies (Deut.
12:lO). The occasion of bringing up the ark into the temple in 1 Kings 8 explains that
Yahweh's resting place was emboded by the ark's position in the inner sanctuary of the
temple, the Most Holy Place. The allusion to the stone tablets on which the law of the covenant
had been engraved accentuates the importance of the observance of the law in maintenance of
the people's relationship with Yahweh. In Psalm 132, the ark as the emblem of God's presence
is propounded as a literary work linking the oaths of David and Yahweh and as a foundation of
prosperity for the kingdom of Israel. This psalm newly accentuates the redemptive - historical
significance of the transportation of the ark to Jerusalem. In Jeremiah 3:16, which obviously
hints at the disappearance of the original ark, the function and meaning of the ark vanishes
around the time of the new covenant era in the progressive course of redemptive history.
The fourth chapter provides theological concepts of the ark. The appellations for the ark are
not used as a norm to classify sources. The ark with Kapporet and the cherubim as a holy
object the designed on Sinai was given by Yahweh himself has Mosaic origin. The ark was a
kind of cultic article used for revelation of his attributes, but it was not to be worshipped. It is
not a throne, nor footstool, nor a war-palladium but a symbol of Yahweh's presence in a
sacramental and covenantal sense. Notwithstanding, the 'whole unit of the ark' has the concept
of footstool, implying his sovereignty. The glorious epiphany of Yahweh occurs around the
ark in a tangible and sublime manner. Thus, the significance of the ark is related to a core
biblical thought: God is with us; Yahweh fulfils his promise concerning the redemption of
human beings in the period of the Old Covenant. Although the ark stood at the center of
Israelite culture throughout history, it was a dspensable object in the process of the redemptive
historical progression of God. God wants to reside among his people in a different way in the
era of the new covenant: through his Holy Spirit. In this regard, the disappearance of the ark
may have been a part of God's sovereign plan. === Thesis (Ph.D. (Old Testament))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.
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